The case for keeping Jakob on the bench is that, should Mitchell Moses suffer an injury or concussion, we would not have adequate cover for the halfback role.
The outcome of this hypothetical situation appears to have escaped our industrious coach but for those who saw the first week of the finals, we have the benefit of knowing how the outcome of the projected worst case scenario would play out if it eventuated. Week one of the finals, Moses did get injured against the Panthers, Arthur did play, we did lose and Arthur failed to make a significant impact.
It's fair to assume that if Moses was to succumb to injury early in any match, we would have little chance of getting the job done, even with Jakob inserted in his stead.
To decide that carrying a spare half (not a utility either) into the game in lieu of choosing a second rower (with or without ball-playing skills) is a profound underestimation of the panthers forward pack. They will tire us and they will beat up our forwards and given the stakes, one wound assume there will be some concussions.
Ask yourself the question, what is more likely? Just one of our 9 forwards gets injured or Moses gets injured early and has to leave the field for the rest of the game?
Not accounting for any injury, our pack playing 80 minutes against the minor premiers wouldn't be an easy feat (even with an extra forward on the bench). So this begs the question, why would anyone in their right mind pick a backup half instead of an extra forward?
Penrith have several danger men who will take full advantage of tired forwards and the gaps they leave in the final minutes of the game. If you know for a fact your forwards will be exhausted and you merely speculate that your halfback will leave the field, you're not looking after your players and you're not respecting the opposition.
I'm not claiming to know that BA doesn't have several other legitimate or compelling reasons for playing his son but on the face of it, none of the reasons for choosing Jakob ahead of another forward come close to outweighing the reasons to replace him.
I write this as a genuinely concerned fan and not to throw shade at a young and talented footballer. He is not far enough along in his development to lead the Eels to the Premiership on his own, especially playing opposite Nathan Cleary.
No one can make the point that a player who has tallied up a mere 5 rounds worth of game-time this year has somehow earned a spot in the grand final. I'm not asserting Nepotism is the reason behind his selection but the stated reasons are not compelling. I am struggling to fathom the logic of BA in light of his sons inexperience.
Considering that this is the biggest game we have played in 13 years and most of us here are old enough and ugly enough to remember that it's been 36 long years since our last Premiership, our coach should have enough respect for the players and the fans to do everything in his power to field the best team and to get the job done.
I'm not saying we can't win with 16 men but it sure feels like BA is making it that much harder by selecting a player that will more than likely sit on the bench for the entire match.
We don't want Sunday to end in more heartache, we need this win and it will mean the world to all of us. I need to know that the Eels fans have at least thought similarly about this and want to fill the side with our best 17, not 16 handicapped by an emergency replacement.
Replies
how about take your own advice and stop whinging brissy, you whinge more than anybody to be fair.
You even whinge about whinging.
Just enjoy the ride flipper.
Very true Snakey. I never realized this but Brissyflop does actually whinge about whinging 😂. He also keeps files about everything people say.
Your all bloody whinge.
Opps, here I am whinging about you guys whinging about the guys that are whinge about the whingers who whinge about the other whingers,
O fk me, Give some Wine. No make that a straight Jimmy,
Hopefully our Whingers (WINGERS) score a few tries on Sunday.
I am curious to see who creates the first "I TOLD YOU SO" Blog after the game.
How about if your not interested in his blog don't read it. You don't have to read it or comment, but no you start whingeing.
I think a marjoity would agree.
Brissey I think a majority would agree with his blog, and yes time to just go with the team and pray Jake is a non starter.
I haven't been on the site in a few years and I am starting to remember why. I wanted to express my opinion and I hadn't seen anyone post about this particular issue. Thanks for taking the time to respond but something contributory would have been more constructive, as opposed to an adversarial, ad hominem attack.
Searched for JA and didn't get much back sorry. Regardless, he has been picked in the grand final side and it's a contentious issue worth discussing. You didn't have to read the blog or reply but thanks for taking the time. You sound like a reasonable person. Appreciate the feedback.
As you can see TRex, I think this topic has had more seasons than the walking dead and has died and come back more times then Kenny.
Just ignore BrissyFlip 🤣 he's acting like a dodo bird🦤
Graham I completely agree with my contention is why continue bringing the same stuff up over and over.
I got zero issues with people disagreeing with the coaches selection of his son but does there need to be an echo chamber on the daily weekly monthly.What does this achieve but rinse was repeating the same thing again what's the point.
I swear if we win this game Sunday there still will be a part of 1EE that will complain about how we do it and what little effect JA has mark it down.
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